China and the United States are the leading exporters of ethyl lactate, accounting for the largest shares of global shipments in recent years, while Germany, South Korea, and Japan represent the top importing markets. Ethyl lactate prices have remained relatively stable amid steady cross-border flows, reflecting consistent demand from pharmaceutical and electronics cleaning applications. Export volumes from China have expanded modestly since 2022, while U.S. exports have held steady, and European imports—particularly by Germany—have shown resilience despite broader chemical trade fluctuations.
Ethyl lactate is a clear, colorless liquid with a mild, fruity odor and moderate volatility; it has a boiling point of approximately 189 °C and is fully miscible with water and most common organic solvents. It is an ester formed from lactic acid and ethanol, classified as a biodegradable organic chemical and renewable solvent. Industrially, ethyl lactate serves primarily as a high-performance, low-toxicity solvent in coatings, inks, cleaning formulations, and electronics manufacturing. It is also employed as a reaction medium and processing aid in pharmaceutical synthesis and as a plasticizer or coalescing agent in polymer and resin systems.
Ethyl lactate is the food spices allowed in our country, commonly used in modulation of fruit flavor, lactic acid-type food and wine flavor. The dosage is 1000mg/kg in alcoholic beverage, 580-3100mg/kg in chewing gum, 71mg/kg in baked food, 28mg/kg in candy and 17mg/kg in cold drink according to normal production requirement.GB 2760-96 provides it as allowable food flavors, being the carrier solvent. As a spice, it is mainly used for preparation of rum, milk, butter, grapes, fruit wine, coconut and other type of flavor.It is used as the solvent for nitrocellulose and cellulose acetate, also used in perfumery industry
Ethyl lactate or lactic acid ethyl ester is a common solvent in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, detergent, coatings, food and fragrance production. It appears as colorless to light yellow transparent liquid with rum, fruit and cream aroma. The freezing point:-25 ° C; the boiling point: 154 ° C, specific rotation [a] 14d:-10 °. It is easily soluble in ethanol, acetone, ether, esters and other organic solvents; there is some degree of hydrolysis upon being miscible with water. Mouse oral LD50: 2.5g/kg, ADI is subject to no special provisions (FAO/WHO, 1994).
This chemical is included in Fine Chemicals - Food Additives. See more about what is Ethyl lactate and Ethyl lactate SDS information.
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